X

Preakness Odds 2018: Race Lines and Post Positions for Pimlico

Gill Clark@@gillclarkyX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IMay 17, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16:  Trainer Bob Baffert walks Kentucky Derby winner Justify after arriving for Preakness preparations after a flight from Louisville, at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland.  (Photo by Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images)
Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

The 143rd Preakness Stakes takes place on Saturday, with Kentucky Derby winner Justify out to clinch the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

Justify has been drawn in the No. 7 post, the same spot he occupied at Churchill Downs, and he will have only seven other contenders to beat at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Here's a look at the post positions and odds for Saturday's race, per OddsShark:

    

1. Quip: 16/1

2. Lone Sailor: 25/1

3. Sporting Chance: 22/1

4. Diamond King: 16/1

5. Good Magic: 3/1

6. Tenfold: 25/1

7. Justify: 2/5

8. Bravazo 18/1

     

Justify is the hot favourite going into the race, and the No. 7 post has proved lucky for trainer Bob Baffert in the past, as shown by Lane Gold at ESPN:

Lane Gold @lanegold

Two of Bob Baffert’s six #Preakness winners started from Post Position #7 Silver Charm (1997) Lookin at Lucky (2010)

Baffert has a perfect record when taking Kentucky Derby winners to Preakness, and Justify may come up against similar conditions to those he experienced at Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Derby was wet and muddy, and rain is forecast for Baltimore on Saturday. Baffert chose to highlight his colt's performance in the wet, per Bryan Armen Graham at the Guardian: "He's run on two wet tracks and he's won on them. Ideally, we want a beautiful day so everyone can enjoy what a great spectacle the Preakness is."

Justify's main contender is expected to be Good Magic, who came second in the Kentucky Derby and will run out of the No. 5 post. 

Jeffrey Byrnes at Horse Racing Nation said it was a good draw:

Jeffrey Byrnes @jeffbyrnes96

Good Magic post 5, good draw for him. So sit off the pace.

Good Magic will have his work cut out if he is to win at Pimlico, as he finished 2 ½ lengths behind Justify at Churchill Downs.

Lone Sailor is the third horse in the field who also raced at Kentucky, and he's been handed the No. 2 post.

Trainer Tom Amoss said the post positions do not offer any real advantage, per Melissa Hoppert at the New York Times: "With an eight-horse field, and a long run to the first turn, there's really no disadvantage to where anyone drew."

Those words may encourage the field as they aim to upset the favourite, although all signs are pointing towards another Justify win on Saturday.